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There is an auction across the street this weekend:http://www.californiauctioneers.com/ The guns will be sold tomorrow. They have Butch Cassidys 45 Colt and Frank James's Navy Colt amongst other guns. There are several Winchesters, modern and early, and miscellaneous 19th century guns. The Old Winchesters are fairly rough. The one I am interested in is an 1886 rifle in 38-56:http://californiauctioneers.auctionflex ... 10&lang=En Serial# 59,132 makes it an 1891 rifle according to Madis. The receiver looks like it was nickel plated long ago. A lot of the plating is flaking off and the receiver is freckled as is all the metal. I didn't see any deep rust pits. Did Winchester ever nickel plate rifles in the 1890's? There are more pics at the link.
The wood is rough but it looks solid. I could see rifling in the barrel but it is to dirty to tell how good it is. It looks like it could be made to shoot. I am interested if the rifle can be had at a good price. The question is what is a good price for an 1886 in this condition?
They also have an 1876 in 40-60. It is rougher than the 1886. And an 1873 38WCF with a round barrel and button mag that is the nicest of the three.
Without seeing the gun in person I'm guessing that the silvery stuff on the receiver is "silvered out" case hardening. Not much of it left. I don't know if any changes have been made to the configuration but it has possibilities. See if they will run a patch through the bore so you can tell more about it. Price? Hey it's an original 86 so it should bring more than a new one which is around 1200 1400 dollars around here. Try to be sure it's all there. If you can't tell then get someone who can before you spend the kind of money it will take to buy this.
M. M. Wright, Sheriff, Green county Arkansas (1860)
Currently living my eternal life.
NRA Life
SASS
ITSASS
A GS in NC had one for $1500, made around 1890. They were way out of line....barrel was so rusted instide you could barely see light. The exterior was about 40% finish.
Yes, I believe that would be the black powder barrel. The rifle went for $1357 OTD with fees and taxes. I let it go.
Neither the 1876 or 1873 went ridiculously high. The 1873 went for $1100 OTD and the 1876 went a couple hundred higher IIRC. The 1876 was rough though. Butch Cassidy's Colt went for $216,000+ OTD.
